1912 was an exciting time in Susanville with the anticipation of the arrival of the railroad. There was a housing building boom. There were more houses constructed in Susanville in 1912, than the previous eleven years combined! It also ushered in a new architectural style, the bungalow, and the days of the Queen Anne were over.
Another unique change was financing, as was with the case of the B.R.Zimmerman residence at 310 North Roop Street, Susanville. Built in 1913. Instead of using a traditional bank Zimmerman financed the residence through a local home building and savings loan company.